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Antone's joins vinyl take-back program

Music fans can return damaged or unplayable vinyl records to potentially be recycled.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Antone&#x27;s Record Shop" data-vars-click-url="https://antonesrecordshop.com/" data-vars-content-id="776afb5e-35ae-41cb-a4c2-3d0d9458bf63" data-vars-headline="Antone&#x27;s joins vinyl take-back program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://antonesrecordshop.com/" target="_blank">Antone&#x27;s Record Shop</a> in Austin has joined a new nationwide vinyl take-back program that aims to give broken and unwanted records a second life.Why it matters: Vinyl has enjoyed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resurgence over the past decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/record-store-day-returns-amid-climbing-vinyl-sales" data-vars-content-id="776afb5e-35ae-41cb-a4c2-3d0d9458bf63" data-vars-headline="Antone&#x27;s joins vinyl take-back program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/record-store-day-returns-amid-climbing-vinyl-sales" target="_self">resurgence over the past decade</a>, but there&#x27;s been little focus on what happens when records become damaged, beyond repair or owners no longer want them.

Margarita is the best drink in Texas

The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in the 1970s.

The people have spoken.Why it matters: Axios Texas readers have crowned the margarita as the best drink in the Lone Star State.

Austin policing under scrutiny following shooting of unarmed Black teen

Chief says the shooting was "potentially a suicide by police."

Austin policing is again in the spotlight as the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager continues to roil parts of the city.Here&#x27;s what we know: The officer-involved shooting in the pre-dawn hours July 24 on a playground on Baden Lane, in Northeast Austin, was set in motion with a 911 call.

Austin blood bank urges summer donations

Blood donations dip every summer, but Austin's blood supply has remained steady despite the national shortage.

Austin&#x27;s We Are Blood says it&#x27;s weathering this summer&#x27;s donation slump better than many regions, but blood bank officials are still asking residents to roll up their sleeves.Why it matters: The U.S. blood supply has reached crisis levels, prompting the American Red Cross and the Surgeon General to urge Americans to donate before shortages delay surgeries, trauma care and other lifesaving treatments.

Austin performer brings Netflix shows to deaf families

Viewers can watch deaf performers overlaid alongside the original programming.

Austin performer JoAnn Benfield is helping bring Netflix&#x27;s most-beloved children&#x27;s shows and movies to deaf families in American Sign Language.Why it matters: Many deaf children use ASL as their primary language, meaning captions alone don&#x27;t always make programming fully accessible.

Your guide to summer swimming in Austin

Here's where to cool off, from Barton Springs to hotel pools.

Things to Do

Ready for the heat? We&#x27;re staring down highs in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mid- to upper 90s" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.4882&amp;lon=-97.7618" data-vars-content-id="25b3ec47-73ac-4ec1-bc7c-6dec4ea57c66" data-vars-headline="Your guide to summer swimming in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.4882&amp;lon=-97.7618" target="_blank">mid- to upper 90s</a> through the weekend.Why it matters: Luckily, there are plenty of places to cool down in Central Texas.

5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown

The Zilker Summer Musical has been an Austin tradition since 1959.

Director Damon Brown is preparing to bring &quot;Singin&#x27; in the Rain&quot; to Zilker Hillside Theatre this month, marking his return to the iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/07/2026-box-domestic-office-start" data-vars-content-id="009d627c-5e4c-4047-866b-5eb6678bc57a" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/07/2026-box-domestic-office-start" target="_self">Austin stage</a> more than two decades after performing there.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zilker Summer Musical" data-vars-click-url="https://zilker.org/" data-vars-content-id="009d627c-5e4c-4047-866b-5eb6678bc57a" data-vars-headline="5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zilker.org/" target="_blank">Zilker Summer Musical</a> has been an Austin tradition since 1959, drawing tens of thousands of attendees each summer.

Inside Paramount Theatre's major makeover

The 110-year-old Austin institution will close Monday for an 11-month restoration.

Culture

Austin&#x27;s 110-year-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramount Theatre" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/22/paramount-theatres-summer-film-series-returns" data-vars-content-id="96e1a460-5733-4998-828f-f8ce3116dc34" data-vars-headline="Inside Paramount Theatre&#x27;s major makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/05/22/paramount-theatres-summer-film-series-returns" target="_self">Paramount Theatre</a> will close Monday for an 11-month restoration.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the most extensive restoration to the theater in over 50 years.

ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year

The festival will take place over four days in downtown Austin.

ATX TV Festival is back in downtown Austin this weekend with TV reunions, sneak peeks, celebrity panels and a few new additions to mark its 15th year.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four-day festival" data-vars-click-url="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" data-vars-content-id="4bf642da-d98d-4065-9c47-16468aaae12a" data-vars-headline="ATX TV Festival returns to Austin for 15th year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atxtvfestival.eventive.org/welcome" target="_blank">four-day festival</a>, running Friday to Monday, is dedicated to television — something co-founders Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gipson say was the point from the beginning.

Austin's top April events you won't want to miss

Austin's kite fest, comedy, music and more.

Food and Drink

It&#x27;s springtime in Central Texas, and one of our favorite months of the year to get out and explore Austin.Here are some of the events we&#x27;re most looking forward to.

New romance bookstore opens in East Austin

Finney's Books opened in December, shortly after the release of "Heated Rivalry."

Finney&#x27;s Books, a new romance bookstore in East Austin, is riding a wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reader enthusiasm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/03/07/hot-romance-novel-recs-houston-romance-bookstore" target="_self">reader enthusiasm</a> for genre-specific spaces.Why it matters: Romance is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="having a moment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/02/10/romance-bookstores-book-clubs-romantasy" target="_self">having a moment</a>. Niche bookstores like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Finney&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.finneysbooks.com/about" target="_blank">Finney&#x27;s</a> are popping up across the country, and screen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adaptations have helped sales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" data-vars-content-id="ace01b72-38e0-41d7-b205-910434bffc5d" data-vars-headline="New romance bookstore opens in East Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/07/10/2701952/0/en/From-Laggard-to-Leader-Record-Sales-of-Romance-Books-Reflect-Next-Generation-of-Contemporary-Readers.html" target="_blank">adaptations have helped sales</a> of romance novels climb.

Where Austinites are making their own gifts

You can make your own meaningful holiday gift at studios around Austin.

Handmade gifts are having a moment, and there are tons of spots around town to try your hand at a new craft.The big picture: Younger generations are shifting to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hands-on hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-98968248-277b-4fd7-a948-817a8449f0e5.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" data-vars-content-id="5289029f-6cd1-4b93-9c73-999a9fede800" data-vars-headline="Where Austinites are making their own gifts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-austin-98968248-277b-4fd7-a948-817a8449f0e5.html?chunk=1&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story1" target="_self">hands-on hobbies</a> like needlepoint and pottery, says Claire Tassin, a retail and e-commerce analyst at Morning Consult. Plus, homemade gifts help save money.

A jazzy "Nutcracker" hits Austin for one night only

Their show reimagines the classic party scene from "The Nutcracker."

An Austin nonprofit is preparing for an ambitious one-night-only performance of Duke Ellington&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Nutcracker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/12/06/ballet-austin-nutcracker-long-center" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/12/06/ballet-austin-nutcracker-long-center" target="_self">The Nutcracker</a>.&quot;Why it matters: The show on Dec. 19 is the first major performance for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capital Contemporary Ballet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/capital-contemporary-ballet?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnsUYoEiaEUbZjdxjtuM-GL-OROk2c5zIbqL8BOatTEjJjj7E1-Dmf_iKzahs_aem_120GYBsCq-n2srhQ2lZ9og" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/capital-contemporary-ballet?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnsUYoEiaEUbZjdxjtuM-GL-OROk2c5zIbqL8BOatTEjJjj7E1-Dmf_iKzahs_aem_120GYBsCq-n2srhQ2lZ9og" target="_blank">Capital Contemporary Ballet</a> and a significant milestone for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Jazz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/atx-jazz-orchestra" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/atx-jazz-orchestra" target="_blank">ATX Jazz</a> Orchestra, which together form the core of the newly launched nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ATX Artists for Social Impact" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atxartists.org/" data-vars-content-id="af5c0008-7bf7-44fe-9525-71106982abf7" data-vars-headline="A jazzy &quot;Nutcracker&quot; hits Austin for one night only" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atxartists.org/" target="_blank">ATX Artists for Social Impact</a>.

Spotify: Austin's top songs of 2025

Kendrick Lamar's "luther (with sza)" took the top spot.

Kendrick Lamar&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luther" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" target="_blank">Luther</a>&quot; (with SZA) was the most-streamed song on Spotify in Austin this year.Why it matters: Austin&#x27;s Wrapped shows a more Spanish-language tilt with Bad Bunny&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DtMF" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" target="_blank">DtMF</a>&quot; landing in the No. 2 spot.

Culture

Austin performer brings Netflix shows to deaf families

Your guide to summer swimming in Austin

5 questions with Austin director Damon Brown

Inside Paramount Theatre's major makeover

Wembanyama shows the power of emotions in sports